Shoe counter



Nov. 15, 1932. J LAKE 1,887,935

SHOE COUNTER Filed Sept. 21, 1931 A TTOE/YE'Y Patented Nov. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES JOHN w. LAKE, or sr. ours, mrssoum SHOE COUNTER Applicationflled September 21,1931. Serial na'seaew.

This invention relates generally to. shoe counters, and has for its predominant ob ect the production of a shoe counter which is so shaped and constructed that much of the discomfort experienced heretofore in the use of shoes provided with counters as formerly made is eliminated.

It is very well known that prior to this invention the counters of many shoes were the source of much discomfort to the wearers of shoes provided with such counters, because of the fact that said counters were so shaped that when the shoes were spread laterally in inserting the feet thereinto, and at times in 1 the use of the shoes, the top edges of the counters at the rear portions thereof were moved forwardly with respect to the remainder of the counter, in a manner to cause the top edges of the shoes at the rear or heel portions thereof to bite into the feet of the wearers of shoes.

It is my theory that this forward movement of the rear portion of the top edge of a shoe provided with a counter of the type formerly employed resulted from the fact that the rear portion of the counter was of substantial height and curved upwardly at its top portion, which caused a hinging action to take place at the designated portion of the shoe when the counter was spread lat- .erally.

To eliminate the annoying forward movement of the top edge of the heel portions of the shoes referred to above, I have devised the counter disclosed herein, which, briefly stated, is constructed just as were the counters formerly employed except that my counter at the top of the side and rear walls thereof is of substantially less height than were the counters formerly employed. This has the effect of eliminating the forwardly curved portion of the rear Wall which heretofore formed a part of a shoe, whereby the trouble caused by said portion is also eliminated; Also, the upper edge of the counter at-the rear thereof is shaped so as to give to the wearer of shoes provided with my improved counters the maximum comfort at the rear portions of the shoes.

spread condition.

Whether or not my theory is correct as to the reason for the elimination of the annoying forward movement of the top edge of the heel portion of the counter,it has been positively'proved in'practice that such move ment is entirely eliminated in the case of a 5,5 counter shaped in accordance withthis invention, and the elimination of such move ment results solely from the reduced height and'improved shape atthe top edge of the heel portion of the counter, as this is the only a 9 change which has been made over the counte formerly employed. Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved counter. I

Fig. 2is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. l. ,Fig. 3 is a plan view of a counter 1n :1

In the drawing, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates my improved counter as a whole. The counter A is constructed generally in the manner c0m .mon to counters of the type usually em loyed in shoes, that is to sav,'said counter is ormed of fiber, or other suitable material, and is shaped to fit into the heel portion of a shoe,

and said counter is provided with the usual laterally extended flange portion B. The

top and forward edges of the side walls of the counter A are curved, as shown, and said top edges incline upwardly from said curved portions C toward the rear or heel portion of the counter, as indicated at D in Fig. 2.

Prior to this invention the edges D of shoe counters extended in a substantially straight line to the rear or heel portions of the counters, as suggested by the dotted line E in Fig.

2, and as a result of this conditiontheheight of the'counters formerly used'was greater than the height of the improved counter disclosed herein, and also because the curvature F at the rear of the counters'were continued to meet the top edge portion E, the rear portion of a counter so constructed was provided with a forwardly extended portion G. It has been found that the forwardly extended portions G of counters constructed as heretofore moved forwardly with respect to the remainder of the counters when said counters were spread laterally, and as already stated, this no tendency for the portions G to move forwardly caused said portion to bite into the feet of the users of shoes so constructed, whereby great discomfort was caused to said wearers.

The prime object of this invention is to produce a shoe counter which will not cause the discomfort referred to,;.and :said object is accomplished by shaping the top edge of the heel portion of the counter A, as shown at H in Figs. 2 and 3, and by reducingthe height of the rear portion of the counter. By reducing the height of the counter at the rear'thereof as described, the objectionable forwardly extended portion G is removed, whereby for .ward movement of theitop edge of the rear wall of the counter is eliminated whensaid counter is spreal laterally. tAlso, my iinproved counter has a shorter fitting line which renders-the counter capable of more universal use and reduces the stock of differently' sized countersnecessary *tobe ma ntained on hand. Furthermore, the more or v less-notched rearportion of the counter as 5 best illustrated in Fig.-3-eli1ninates toralarge extent folding or puckering of the topv edge portion of the counter at the rear portion of the counter. i

I claim: i

' Ashoe counter having wing portions provided'with an upper edge which slopes upwardly to the back of the counter, -said upper edge at itscenter having an arcuate cutout 1 therein, whereby to format relatively slight depression, without, in any way-weakening the center structure, and whereby the tendency of the formation :of :aninwardly extending overhang is avoided when the counter is incorporated ina shoe. V In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto a-ffix my signature.

. JOHN V. LAKE. 

